Bearman supports Verstappen in the FIA crackdown controversy.

      "I found it quite severe for him."

      Oliver Bearman has aligned with Max Verstappen in critiquing Formula 1’s increasingly stringent and inconsistent enforcement of driver behavior, both on and off the track. The reigning world champion has recently condemned the FIA’s expanding list of conduct and racing regulations, asserting that they disrupt instinctive racing.

      "In some battles, it feels like you can’t truly go for it," Verstappen remarked earlier this month. "It almost seems unnatural. You start questioning, ‘Can I do this, or will I get penalized?’ That’s not racing."

      Bearman, 20, echoed these sentiments in comments released by Speed Week, highlighting Kevin Magnussen’s race ban for 2024 as a cautionary example.

      "I agree with Max," stated the Haas rookie. "A good illustration of this is Kevin Magnussen's race ban from last year. His offenses at that time were relatively minor, but significant when it came to the number of penalty points. I thought it was quite harsh for him. There were instances, like an attempted pass that didn’t work out and both drivers going off-track, that didn’t endanger anyone. Yet, for an action that was never dangerous, he received two penalty points."

      Bearman himself received four penalty points and a ten-place grid drop at his home Grand Prix at Silverstone for infringing on red flag regulations—something he believes exemplifies the overly severe environment.

      "The points you can accumulate now can build up quickly," he said. "We drivers want to compete wheel-to-wheel, and ultimately, that’s what the fans want to witness. If a maneuver is unfair, I support it being penalized—but we need to strike an appropriate balance."

      He concurs with Verstappen that instinct is becoming increasingly overshadowed by the fear of penalties.

      "It can occur that you suddenly remember a guideline point and consequently let your competitor pass again. And that feels unnatural," he explained. "In the heat of the moment, there’s no time to recall all the regulations. Decisions are made in an instant. You’re definitely not reflecting on a five-page FIA document.

      "I comprehend the FIA’s approach, and we also desire consistent evaluations of races. However, that’s simply challenging in certain circumstances."